Coin-tester for coin-controlled vending-machines



A. n. GROVER. COIN TESTER FOR'COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES,

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25,19I3.

1,3733%. Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT crease.

ALBERT D. GROVER, OF lllIAIaDlElfl', MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY IVIESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO AUTOSALES CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COIN-TESTER roe COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters i'atent.

Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

Application filed July 25, 1913. Serial No. 781,072.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ALBERT D. Gnovnn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Maiden, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and Improved Coin-Testers for Coin-Controlled Vending-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my present invention is to provide a coin-tester of such compact form that it maybe applied tovending machines of small dimensions, such as machines used in theat'erswithout materially increasing the size of the machine. The. coin-tester of my invention is adapted to prevent the insertion of washers as well as checks of soft material into the coin-slot ofthe machine.

()ne of the chief drawbacks of vending machines of small proportions is that they have not been provided with a coin-testing device, particularly a device for preventing the insertion of washers which are perhaps the most common means employed'by unscrupulous persons for defrauding vending machines. The coin-testing devices of the prior art are not, as far as I know, applicable to small machines, because those devices occupy so much space as to render their application to small machines entirely out of the question. On the other hand, my new coin-tester occupies such exceedingly small space that it may be completely housed within the top plate of a theater machine, which may not be more than four inches wide and one and one-half inches deep. The thickness of the plate housing my new coin-tester need not be more than one fourth of an inch. The proportions of the housing plate could even be smaller than those mentioned, so exceedingly'simple is the mechanism of my new and'improved coin-tester. Considered in its broad aspect, my invention com- W prises mechanism associated with the coinslot of a vending machine and adapted to be automatically operated by an entering washer to lock the latter against full entrance into the slot. While the mechanism stops the washer against inward movement, it readily permits the same to be withdrawn by hand so that the coin-slot may be cleared. The mechanism offers no obstruction to the passage of a good coin through the slot.

More specifically considered, my new cointester comprises a movable locking member arranged to be projected across the coin-slot into the opening of a partially inserted washer, whereby the latter is locked against full entrance into the slot, and means actuated by the entering washer for controlling or perm tting operation of the movable member 1nto locking position. In the particula-r embodiment illustrated, this actuatlng means for the locking member consists of a p1voted leverhaving one portion extending across one end of the coin-slot to be engaged by the entering washer, and a second portion arranged to engage the locking member and cause operation thereof when the washer engages the lever.

In the preferred form of my invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawlngs, the actuating lever cooperates with a second lever arranged at the other end of the slot to prevent the insertion of soft checks into the machine. These two levels have sharp edges so arranged as to bite into a check of soft or yieldable material, and thereby prevent the same from passing through the slot. The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention in the form now best known to me, although it is obvious that the broad principle of my invention may be mechanically carried out in other ways than that shown. In these drawings- Figure 1, represents the top plate of a co1n-controlled vending machine in which my new coin-tester is housed.

Fig. 2, is a view similar to Fig. 1, with the 'coyer removed to expose the parts of my new coin-tester, these parts being shown in nor mal or unoperated position. I i

Fig, 3, is a view similar to Fig. 2, with the parts in operated position.

Fig. 4, represents a section on the broken line H of Fig; 3.

Fig. 5, is a transverse cross-section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing how a check of soft material is held against insertion throughthe coin-slot.

Fig. 6, is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing how a good coin is allowed to pass through the coin-slot, this figure being a cross-section on line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7, is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing a washer in locked position; and

Fig. 8, is a view similar to Fig. 4, on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

The base plate l may form any suitable, portion of the outside casing of a coin conr e m h ne is the Particular n t n illustrated, the plate 1 is supposed to form the top plate of a suitable vending machine. Inasmuch as my invention is applicable to almost any form of coin-controlled machine, and is entirely independent in its construction and operation of any particular form of machine, I have not deemed it necessary I to illustrate any specific form of vending or other machine in the drawings. It is sufficient to say that the base plate 1 is adapted to be secured to a suitable vending or other machine in any desired manner, as by means of screws or rivets. The plate 1 is formed with a coin-slot 2, and with recesses 3 and 4. These recesses are so shaped as to properly accommodate certain parts therein. In the recess 3 is pivoted the lever 5 upon the stud 6. The end 7 of this levernormally projects across one end of the coin-slot 2, as best shown in Fig. 2, while the other end 8 of the lever is normally in engagement with the shoulder 9 of the locking bolt 10, which is slidably mounted in the recess 3. A spring 11 bears at one end against the outer end 7 of the lever 5 and normally holds the same in the position shown in Fig. 2. The spring 11 is mounted on the stud 12 in the recess 3. In the extended portion 3 of the recess 3 is housed the compression spring 13 which bears against the rear end of thelocking member or bolt 10. The free or outer end of the bolt 10 is tapered on its underside, as shown at 14 in Figs. 4 and 3. vVhen the bolt is operated into locking position, the tapered end 14 is projected across the coinslot. The extreme tip of the tapered end rests in the small recess'15 formedin thev ment with the shoulder 9 of the bolt 10.

In the recess 4 of the plate 1 is arranged the lever 17 which is pivotally mounted on the stud 18. A suitable spring 19 held on the stud 20 bears at one end against the shoulder 21 of the lever 17 to normally hold the testing end22 of this lever across the adjacent end of the coin-slot 2. This is best shown in Fig. 2. The outer or testing ends of the levers 5 and 17 are beveledso as to provide cutting edges 23 and 24, respectively, as best. shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 at The operation of my coin-testing device will be clearly understood from the foregoing description andis as follows:

When the propercoin as for instance nickelis inserted into the slot 2, the hard edge of the coin bears against the-edges 23 and 24 of the levers5 and 17, and wedges them apart, thereby clearing the slot for the entrance of the coin, which dropsinto the function, which may beeither to release the deliverymechanism for operation or to connect the deliverymechanism with the handoperated member on the outside of the machine, or control any suitable mechanism within the machine. In Figs. 3 and 6, the coin C is shown as having forced the levers 5 and 17 apart and passing through the coinslot. The actuation of the lever 5 by the entering coin has no effect upon the bolt 10, because the free end of the bolt simply bears against the entering coin by slight frictional contact, without interfering with its passage through the coin-slot. The spring 13 is only a very light spring and does not project the bolt 10 against the entering coin with any appreciable force. It will be clear from a consideration of Fig. 6, that'when the coin has beeninserted more than half-way the spring-pressed end 7 of the lever 5' (and the spring-pressed end 22 of the'lever 17 ,whenever the latter is used) will snap the coin through the coinentrance slot. In this way the washencatching mechanism of myinvention not only forms no obstruction to the passage of a good coin but actually assists or accelerates the passage of a proper coin through the coin-entrance slot. Should a check of soft material. such as lead, paper or the like, be, inserted into the coin-slot, the cutting edges 23 and 24 of the levers 5 and 17 will bite into the material and be prevented from separating, whereby the check is locked against entry into the coin-slot. This is clearly shown in Fig. 5, where the coin-testing edges 23 and 24 are shown as havingentered the soft material of the check L. a

Let us now suppose that a washer'of hard material is inserted into the coin-slot 2. The first effectof the entering washer will be" to force the free ends of the levers 5 and; 17 apart, the same as an ordinary coin would. The washer will therefore enter the coin-slot until the opening 25 of the washer (see Figs. 7 and 8, where the. washer is indicated by W) comes into alinement with the locking bolt 10, whereupon the spring 13 thrusts the bolt through the washer opening and thereby locks the washer against further entry into the coin-slot. The entering washer moves the lever 5 from the position shown in Fig.2 to that shown in Fig." 3-, thereby re- 13. The movement of the lever 5 to normal position also moves the locking bolt 10 back into normal position. In the broad aspect of my invention, the controlling connection between the operating lever 5 and the locking bolt 10, might be carried out in other ways than that shown. However, I prefer to employ the arrangement shown in the drawings, in which the lever 5 normally restrains the spring 13 from projecting the bolt into locking position.

'- The parts of the coin-testing mechanismi are covered by the plate 26 which is secured over the plate 1 in any desired manner, as by screws or rivets 27.

, It will be seen from'the foregoing that I have provlded an exceedingly simple and at the same time highly effective coin-testing device for positively preventing the inser: tion into the coin-entrance slot of washers and of checks made of soft or yieldable material. The exceedingly small space that the parts occupy renders my invention applicable to small machines which had hitherto been unprotected against fraudulent operation by washers or disks of soft material. While this invention was primarily intended for coin-controlled vending machines, it is obvious that it may be applied to coin-controlled machines of any kind.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent f the United States is: v

1. In a coin-controlled machine having a coin-slot for receiving a coin edgewise, washer-catching mechanism having a yieldable part adapted to engage in the opening of a partially inserted'washer to lock the same against full entrance into the slot, and a second yieldable part extending across one end of said coin-slot to be thereby actuated by the entering washer and control the operation of said locking part, said mechanism permitting ready removal of the locked washer to clear the coin-slot, said second yieldable part engaging an entering good coin on the. edge thereof and thereby snapping it through said slot. I

2. In a coin-controlled machine having a coin-slot for receiving a coin edgewise, the

combination of a spring-pressed locking member arrangedtobe projected across said coin-slot into the opening of a'partially inserted washer, whereby the latter is locked against full entrance into said slot, said member permitting thewithdrawal of the intercepted washer, and means mounted independently of-said member and adapted to v be actuated-by the entering washer to con- 'trolthe operation of said member.

' 3. In a coin-controlled. machine having a coin-slot, the combination of a springpressed locking member arranged to be projected across said coin-slot into the opening of a partially inserted washer, whereby the latter is locked against full entrance into the coin-slot, said member permitting thewithdrawal of the intercepted washer, and a pi v-- oted lever mounted independently of said locking member for controlling the operation thereof, said lever having a portion ex-- tending across one end of the coin-slot to be engaged by the entering washer, whereby said lever is actuated by the entering washer to control the. operation of said locking member into locking position.

4:. In a coin-controlled machine, a flat plate providedwith a coin-slot for receiving a coin edgewise, said plate being provided with a recess or chamber, a spring-pressed locking member mounted in said recess or chamber and adapted to be projected across said coin-slot into the opening of a partially inserted washer, whereby thelatter is locked against fullc entrance into the slot, said member permitting withdrawal of the intercepted washer, and meansmounted in said recess Or chamber independently of said member and adapted to be actuated by the a coin edgewise, said plate being provided with a recess 0r chamber, a Spring-pressed locking member mounted within said recess or chamber and arranged to be projected across said coin-slot into the opening of a partially inserted washer, whereby the latter is locked against full entrance into the slot,

said member permitting the withdrawal of the intercepted washer, and a pivoted lever mounted in said recess or chamber for controlling the operation of said locking member, said lever having a portion extending across one'end of said slot to be engaged by p the entering washer, whereby said lever is actuated by the entering washer to control the'operation of said locking member into locking position.

6. In a coin-controlled machine having a coinslot, mechanism associated with said slot and adapted to be automatically actuated by an entering washer to lock the same against full entrance into the slot, said mechanism including a spring-pressed locking member arranged to be projected across the coin-slot into the opening of a partially inserted washer, said member permitting removal of the locked washer through said coin-slot, and a pivoted member mounted independently of said locking member and arranged to be actuated by the entering washer for controlling the operation ofsaidlocking member. 7

7. Ina coin-controlled machine, a fiat plate provided with a coin-slot for receiving a coin edgewise, mechanism carried by said. plate for automatically locking an entering washer against full entrance 1nto saldslot,

said mechanism including a spring-pressed locking member arranged to be projected across said coin-slot into the opening: ofa partially inserted washer, said member permitting removal of the locked washer through:

said coin-slot, and a controlling member mounted independently of said lockingmem ber and arranged to be actuated by the entering washer to control the operati'onof said locking member into locking position.

8. In coin-controlled machlne prov ded with a coin-slot, means adapted to engagein the opening of an enteringwasher and there= by lock thesame against full entrance into said slot, and means adapted to be actuated by the entering washer'for controlling the operation of said locking means, said locking means being mounted independently of said controlling means and permitting removal of the locked washer through said coin-slot.

9. In a coin-controlled machine, a plate provided with a coin-slot for receiving a coin edgewise, a device carried bysald plate for engaging in I the opening of an entering washer and thereby locking the sameagainst full entrance into said slot, saiddevice permitting removal of the H locked washer through said coin-slot, and amember also carried by said plate and adapted to be actu- I ated by the entering washer for controlling the operation of said device, said device and.

said member being constructed and arranged to operate in a plane parallelto the plane of said plate. lo

10. In a coin-controlled machine provided with a coin-slot, the combination of a spring: pressed locking-member normally adapted to be projected across said coin-slot to engage in the opening of an entering washer and thereby lock the same against full entrance into the slot, said member permitting re moval of the locked washer through said coinslot, and a spring-pressed member nor-,

mally holding said locking member in an, in-

ber mounted within said recess and provided with a light spring which normally tends to project said member across the coin-slot, a

lever mounted within saidrecess forrcon trollingthe operation of said locking mem ber, and a heavy spring which normally holds one portion of said lever across one end of the coin-slot and the other portion against said locking member to hold thesame against operation by said light spring,=

said controlling lever being adapted to be actuated by an entering washer to -release said lockingmember for operation into locklng position, said locking member being adapted to enter the opening in the washer and thereby lock the same against full en-i trance into the slot.

12.- In a coin-controlled machine provided with a coin-slot, the combination o'faslid-.

ablei-spring-pressed locking member nor-* mally adapted to beprojected across said coin-slot to engage in the opening of an en-' tering washerand thereby lock the same against full entrance into the slot, and a" pivoted spring-pressed member normally holdingsaid locking member in an inoperative POSltiOIIZLIlCl adaptedto be rocked by an entering washer to release saidlockingimember for operation into lockingposition, said locking member permitting removal-(of the locked washer through said coin-slot.

13. Ina coin-controlled machine provided:

witha slot for-receiving a coin edgewise, a

tolock an GIItGI'IIIg-WVZLShBl against full enspring-pressed locking membernormally adapted to be projectedacross said coin-slot V trance into the slot,'said locking member :per-' mitting removal of the locked washer through saidslot; and a spring-pressed member normally holding it said locking member:

in an inoperative position and adapted'tobe actuated by the entering washerto permit operation of said locking member into; looking position, said members :being mounted independently of each other.

14. In a coin controlled mechanismpro videdwith a' coin-slot, a movable locking member adapted to be projected across said coin-slot to lock an entering-washer against fullentrance intothe slot, a springfor actu atlng sald member into lock ng position, a

movable device for controlling the operation of said locking member, a spring connected" withsaid device for normally'holding the same in position to maintain said locki ng member in withdrawn or inoperative-position, said last-n1entioned stronger than said first spring, and means whereby an'entering washer actuates said controlling device into such a position that said firstmentioned spring causes operation of said locking member 1nto locking position;

- 15. In coin-controlledmechanism provided with a coin-slot, a movablelocking memspring being entrance into the slot, a spring for actuating said member into locking position, a movable device forcontrolling the operation of'said locking member andfhaving a portion ex-g tending acrossone endof the coin-slot'toflbe' engaged by an entering washer, and aspringconnected with said device for normally;

holding the same in a position to maintain a ber adapted to be projected across said coin slot to lock an entering washer against full T rea ies said lockin member in withdrawn or inoperative position, said last-mentioned spring being stronger than said first spring, whereby the entering washer actuates said controlling device 1nto such a position that said first-mentioned spring causes operation of said locking member into locking position.

16. In com-controlled mechanism provided with a coin-slot, a movable locking member adapted to be projected across said coinslot to lock an entering washer against full entrance into the slot, a spring for actuating said member into locking position, a pivoted lever for controlling the operation of said locking member, a spring connected with said lever for normally holding the same in a position to maintain said locking member in withdrawn or inoperative. position said last-mentioned spring being stronger than said first spring, and means whereby an entering washer actuates said controlling lever into such a position that said first-mentioned spring causes operation of said locking member into locking position.

17. In coin-controlled mechanism provided with a coin-slot, a movable locking mem- I ber adapted to be projected across said coinslot to lock an entering washer against full entrance into the slot, a sprin for actuating said member into locking posltion, a pivoted lever for controllin the operation of said locking member an having a portion extending across oneend of the coin-slot to be locking member into locking position.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 14th day of July 1913.

ALBERT D. GROVER.

Witnesses:

H. GUERTLER, A. A. THOMAS. 

